Sunday, January 27, 2013

Presentation BIC ballpoint pen drawingof bottle stopper shaped like a snakeCelebrating the Chinese Year of the Snake.

During the summer recess I
was approached to design a spirit bottle stopper to coincide with the 2013
Chinese New Year Celebrations, the year of the water snake. The Chinese Zodiac
consists of the following animals; snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog,
boar, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, and finally the dragon.This blog entry focuses on the design
processes (mainly ballpoint pen drawings); the research conducted, the
considered concepts and ideas, design development (applying the design
principals), the refinement of the chosen idea for manufacture and the final
rendering. Once the drawings and the finally design idea is approved, the final
renderings form the basis for 3d modeling and prototype development.

The Design and Development Process; from concept to product.

Research

References

Concepts
and ideas

Design
development

Apply the Design
principals

The
presentation drawings

Tang dynasty (618-907) set of Zodiac earthenware figuresexcavated in 1955-56 from a tomb in Shaanxi Province China.

Research

The first phase consist of a
thorough investigation of the brief (provided by the client) and or the
artist’s intent – proposed artist's envisaged creative aim and objectives. For
the purpose of this blog entry – the intent was to design an innovative and
creative bottle stopper for spirits – aimed at the Chinese market. The aim was
to design and develop a spirit bottle stopper for each of the 12 animals of the
Chinese Zodiac, one to be launched each year, corresponding with the Zodiac
animal for the particular Chinese New Year celebrations.

Bronze snake, Circle of Animal/Zodiac headsby Ai Wewei.

Just before I was approached
to do the design the stopper, I was in a bookshop (Exclusive Books) looking at
the latest art and design publications with the intention to purchase an
inspirational book to peruse during my holidays. At first nothing caught my
eye, however a second visit just before lunch, a publication of the work of Ai
Wei Wei titled Circle of Animals,
caught my attention.

Bronze Dog showcasing the scale of the sculpture.

Smaller gold edition.

The book was rapped in plastic but somehow I knew that
this was it. I proceeded to the teller, paid for the book and went for lunch.
This stunning publication was just the read I was looking for – I have for
sometime now become obsessed with his work. The trip to China hastened my
desire. There are many reasons – these thoughts are for another day and post.
The book focuses on Ai Weiwei’s Circle Of
Animals/Zodiac Heads, his first work of monumental public art, which drew
worldwide attention even more so when the artist was detained by Chinese
authorities in the spring of 2011, just before the work was launched.

A
lively re-envisioning of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, Circle of
Animals/Zodiac Heads reaches back to a dark episode in China’s relationship
with the West; the Second Opium War, and the wanton destruction by British
troops of the Yuanming Yuan, the Garden of Perfect Brightness, in 1860. An
imperial retreat built a century earlier, the Yuanming Yuan featured an ornate,
European-style section with grand fountains, gardens and palaces. At the center
was a splendid zodiac water-clock fountain, whose spouting bronze-headed
figures, representing the animals of the Chinese zodiac, marked the hours of
the day. Looted and carried off long ago, the seven bronze heads that survive
have in recent years become fraught symbols of the cultural achievements of the
Qing era, the nation’s period of humiliation by the West, and contemporary
China’s complicated relationship to its own history.

It was only when I got to
Cape Town, whilst having lunch with a friend, that the significance of the
purchase became even more evident. The business proposition was tabled and my
involvement discussed (book in hand) to design the bottle stopper to coincide
with the China's New year celebrations based on the 12 animals of the Chinese
Zodiac.

SUKEYUKI Okimono
c1890 SUKEYUKI,

Japan Carved wood Okimono of a human skull with snake.

References

On my return to my studio in
Johannesburg I began to investigate the designated Chinese zodiac animal for
2013. The water snake occupies the 6th position on the Chinese
Zodiac and symbolizes such character traits as intelligence, gracefulness and
materialism. I made visual reference to river snakes and more importantly, I
investigated Netsuke carvings of reptiles, paying attention to those carvings
with complex forms and shapes capturing the snakes twisting body (featured
here).

The attention to detail in these carvings are just amazing, especially the Okimono (ornament for display) of a human skull with snake seen above. Follow link to a virtual three dimensional visual experience of the master
crafted art work. Unlike Ai Wewei’s interpretation of the snake, my intention
was to incorporate the head and body in a complex composition – simple but
sophisticated with the emphasis on the coiled body and with the head poised and
alert.

Concept development

Concepts and ideas

Various optionsand ideas.

At first I explored various coiled
body options as captured in the enclosed renderings. The snake will be
positioned on the top of the cork or stopper. However a certain amount of
realism had to be incorporated referencing photos of snakes (see below), contrasted with the normal stylization that I
bring to my rendered and modeled clay sculpted forms and shapes over the years.
This is evident in the various options considered to create a complex composed
composition.

Design development. the refinement of the chosen design concept and or idea.

Developing side view.

Design development

During this stage of the
design process one chooses one of the
creative ideas explored during first phase of the design process. One
considers the best option, in this case a decision was reached based on the
most integrated design – illustrating the intent mentioned above (coiled body
and the head poised and alert) The design development phase also consists of the
refinement of the forms, shapes and composition.

One applies the design principals. They consist of the
following;

Balance – symmetrical,
formal, radial & asymmetrical.

Integrating the design when viewed from all angles and
sides.

Rhythm – repeat
pattern and or elements / flow of the line.

The
twisting coiled body of the snake in the figure of an eight – Chinese symbol
for luck.

Proportion – scale
/ size / dimensions / relationship of parts.

The proportion of the head to the body and the
elimination of gaps in between the coiled body, to create a snake that is elegantly
perched on top of the
bottle.

Unity – integration
of the whole (harmony).

This
is a very important aspect of the design process; the integration of the head,
body and tail of the snake (enhancing the design style).

Emphasis
– point
of focus / celebration / strategic position.

The head
is the focus point – needed to be in the center, poised and alert.

Presentation drawing

The presentation drawing is
the final rendering of the design process and embodies the culmination of
creative process, all the options considered, decisions made and applied to
create a unique design solution to the design proposal. Every detail is
considered and applied to communicate the envisaged product to the client. This
drawing is then presented to the 3d modeling expert to model the forms and shape
in three dimensions for casting purposes.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

What to do at the end of the year, the festive season, Christmas and New Year. How to maximise those very few valuable summer recess weeks is always a major question towards the end of each year? Where to go, what route to take and what holiday experience will
ultimately satisfy one’s every need, this time round.From the outset we
communicate our idealistic plans (wishes) to our closest of friends and work
colleagues, long before we can settle on a viable suitable option. We trust
that the ultimate dream holiday experience will come to fruition based on an
enthusiastic response. Before you jump to conclusions let me explain.

Rosendal Church

Ultimately it is about the adventure – to keep all our options open – to
determine where most of our friends will spend their much-deserved vacation.
Their family commitments and travel arrangements impacts on our decisions and
in my case often sleeping arrangements. Christmas is a time for the family and
new years’ celebrations a time to party with friends.

On route to Rosendal Hotel

On route to the Rosendal Hotel

We all want to have a
great time and not miss out on spending quality time with our closest friends.
In their company we can relax, read and of course eat, drink and merry without
compromise.

In my case the 2012/3 recess
itinerary was shaped round the availability of a bed at my friends’ home and
holiday retreat in Caltizdorp and Rosendal respectively. Festive seasons are
all about the family and I therefore spent four days in the Cape, staying at
the Junction Hotel in Somerset Road Cape Town. The hotel has been revamped and
is situated in close proximity to Cape Town’s recreational spots (walking
distance) to avoid a drinking violation.

On route to Rosendal - 2 km outside town.

However the trip to Cape Town and
back has to be an appealing journey, especially if you travel the 1500 km by
car – making it a value adding and memorable experience is therefore very
necessary. Splitting the journey into a number of stay-overs and taking the
scenic route is the only way. Hence the fact that I head for my favourite
weekend away retreat Rosendal an oasis – the first of two stopovers.

Rosendal in summer is very special. The
seasonal rains ensure everything is green despite the baking hot sun. Everyone
is in a very relaxed and party mood - dinners and lunches at friends or at the
local restaurant, under new management yet again, is fabulous.

This time round
the wine and dine experience is of a very high standard - no wonder the locals
and farmers in the region flock here to savour the moment while it lasts. A new
experienced chef ensures a menu with a wide selection of dishes, cooked to
perfection and flavoursome.

The atmosphere is greatly enhanced by a
recently acquired liquor license and a fully stocked bar with pool-table
area.Attracting a younger crowd and
keeping the establishment active beyond the normal early-to-bed mindset
associated with small-undeveloped country towns like Ronsendal.

From Rosendal I head back to the N2
highway to the Cape via Route 62, a have-to-do-trip taking the alternative
route to Cape Town from Beaufort west through Meiringspoort via Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp,
Barrydale, Montaqu and Robertson, joining the N1 at Worcester (the access point
for the return journey). It is very scenic drive with a small town every fourty
to fifty kms making it very interesting and less boring and demanding.

Ronnies sex shop on Route 62 Klein Karoo

The road
winds through the Klein Karoo winelands with famous touristy spots on the way;
one in particular has become an institution, Ronnies Sex shop.

The name ensures
customers support of this welcoming drinking hole on a stretch of road typical
of the Karoo – flat with open and wide countryside – very boring and even more
so on a very hot summers day.A drink is
therefore well deserved and more so in a place and space that lives up to its namesake,
if the customer’s memorabilia is anything to go by.

This includes a wide range
of bras in different styles and sizes (hanging from at the bar) supported with
comments scribbled all over the walls and ceilings of this now thriving
drinking spot on Route 62.

Stoep House Nel Calitzdorp.

I arrived at Calitzdorp, my next holiday
destination, the home of Hylton Nel (renowned potter) and Bernard his Italian
partner in the late afternoon, just in time for the bar to open. We always have
drinks on the front ‘stoep’, overlooking the fruit orchards, located beyond his
studio, opposite the homestead situated on the ‘wesoever’ of the Nel river.

Hylton and I traveled to China last year – our trip featured on this blog
(number of posts – see labels for links. There are a few more posts planned for
this year, covering mainly trips to museums and galleries, providing insight
into the art and craft collections, I found particularly interesting.Love Hylton’s home – especially as he has a
fine collection of ceramics, especially Chinese vases, bowls and urns.

He also
has an extensive collection of books, catalogues and more books. He never stops
acquiring reading material on catalogues of recent ceramic auctions, to
historically significant reading material on relevant cultural topics,
biographies and autobiographies. Absorbing the material that this reliable
albeit traditional source of knowledge has to offer, provide for interesting
conversations.

However the books and
catalogues also provide valuable visual and written documentation in support of
ceramic discussions; where appropriate relevant books are tabled with specific
reference to surface details and motifs, including forms, shapes and glazes.

Doorway to dining room

I made my way to the Cape late
morning to ensure I do not encounter the setting sun in my weakened eyesight.
The Route 62 from Calitzdorp to Cape Town is a four to five hour journey -
arguably the most beautiful part of the long trip.

It is very necessary to take
a break, every two hours, especially on a journey of eight to ten hours.
Stopping for lunch can be a mundane ritual associated with refueling the car
and therefore occur simultaneously at Shell Ultra City’s fast-food outlets
strategically situated along the N2 highway.

De Kaap Country Restaurant Interior.

I always try to do something
different and my friend Daniel recommended De Kaap Country Restaurant, a short
detour from Robertson, located 22 km s (15mintes) on route to McGreggor. As you enter Robertson, there is a Shell Fuel Station on
the left. You are now on Voortrekker Road. A few hundred yards further, you’ll
see the sign to McGregor.

On the left, on the corner, you’ll see Roodezant
Cellar. Turn right here. McGregor is about 22 km/15 minutes' drive away from
this turn-off. Cross the bridge over the Breede River. Take the left fork just
after the bridge. Stay on this road. You'll see our sign on the right as you
approach McGregor.

Always good to treat yourself along the way, making the trip
memorable by choosing a place and space that has style and meets your culinary
expectations. The restaurant interior is very simple and appropriately
decorated with a well-conceived and executed landscape garden, situated against
a backdrop of the owner’s own vineyard.

The chef and her husband have cultivated the surrounding land growing Cabernet grapes for future
winemaking. The interior is cool and walls are painted in terracotta earthcote
colour paint, contrasting sharply with the white sunbaked exterior.

The menu is small but there is always something for everyone. Our food
is fresh and prepared daily with a big emphasis on the quality - we use free
range and organic where possible. Our wine list comprises wine from Robertson
and McGregor Valley only and these compliment our dishes beautifully. If you
would prefer to bring your own, we do ask a corkage fee.

We are open from
Thursday to Sunday for lunch, from Thursday to Saturday for dinner, and on
Saturday and Sunday for breakfast. Our daytime hours are fro 9 am to 4 pm, and
our evening hours are from 7 pm to 10 pm. Bookings are essential for evening
dinners and Sunday Buffet lunches (as cited on
SafariNow.com).

I had a very simple lunch; Cajun
Chicken, pesto and Mozzarella Ciabatta served with sundried tomatoes and chips
(R78). A delicious white wine rounding off the worthwhile trip there and back.

Title image: Ceramic installation with projected animation titled, and the ship sails on. In celebration of the Chinese year of the dragon. Follow link to view video on You Tube.EUGENE HŐN : CERAMIC ARTISTThe purpose of this blog is to inform you of the creative thinking behind my ceramic statements.I will therefore provide reference material to facilitate greater interaction with you in the development of ceramic concepts. The expressed views and posted comments are intended to illustrate how the ceramic statements act as a vehicle for an expanding discourseon relevant art, design and craft issues.

About Me

I am a ceramic artist with a passion for drawing. My ceramic statements are a creative response to the literary sources I choose to read. I am also an academic, recently appointed Director of the FADA Gallery at the University of Johannesburg. I am an artist that celebrates the handmade, with strong concepts and meaning that straddles the disciplines of ceramics, sculpture, drawing, artist’s books, digital printing, animation, video or digital projection Installation and ultimately design.